Barber&#39;s chair



April 2.1, 1925.

w. F. KOKEN AaBsR's cuna Filed March 5. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4Avril21,1925. 1,534,210

W. F. KOKEN BARBERS CHAIR Filed. March 3. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2HTTQZNEY.,

April 21, 1925.

W. F. KOKEN BARBER f s" CHAIR Filegllarch s. 1923 4 Sheets-Sli` oet a ml l l I l u l IN WSA/Tg2 v@v/ller E of," l2- 'pril 2 1, 15325.1,534,270v w. F. KOKEN BARBERS CHAIR Filed March s, 1923 -4 Sheets-Sheet4.

IN @Ek/TOE War/fer Ko n.

Fatented Apr. Z1, 1925.

UNITED STATES 'WALTER F. rKOKEN, 0F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

BARBERS CHAIR.

Application filed. March 3, 1923. Serial No. 622,518.

To all 207mm tm-'ay concern:

Be it known that l, WALTER F. KOKEN, a citizenof the United States,residing at St. Louis, Missouri,'liave invented a certain new and usefulimprovement in Barbers Chairs, of which the following is a full, clear,and exactdescription, such as will enable others skilled in theart towhich it appe'rt'ain's'to inane and use the sanne..

This "invention relates to chairs of `the kind' that are used bybarbers, dentists andother specialists for supporting a' person on whomthe Specialist isy operating, and Vparticularly to chairs of the typethat comprise a 'seat that ran be adjusted vertically and a back thatcan be swung upwardly and downwardly relatively to the seat so as toarrange the baclteitherin an inclined position, commonly referred to asthe reclincd position ot the back, or in an upright position.V

The main object ot my present invention is to provide a chair of thegeneral type relierred to which is so constructed that the adjustment ofthe various parts of the chair can be effected by one hand of theoperator in charge of the chair, thereby overcoming the necessity ofrequiring the operator to manually release a retaining device with onehand and use the other hand to move the part of the chair that is to beadjusted.

Another object is to provide a chair of the general type referred tothat is equipped with an electrically-operated means of novelconstruction `ior raising the seat of Jrhe chair and for moving the backrelatively to the seat to change the adjustment oi' the back.

And still another object is to provide a barbe-rs chair or the like thatis equipped with an hydro-electric mechanism for adjusting the seat andadjusting the back, and a governing means tor said mechanism constructedin such a manner that only one hand ot the operator is required to raiseor lower the seat or to arrange the back in an upright position or in aninclined position. @ther objc-rits and desirable features of myinvention will be hereinafter pointed out.

To this end l have devised a chair that comprises a .ertically-movableseat that is adapted to be raised and lowered, and adjustable bach thatis adapted to be arranged in an upright position or in an inclinedposition, mechanism for effecting the vertical movement of the seat andfor moving the back relatively to the seat to change the of the chair,tliu'sleaving the otherfhando'f the operator treey to manipulate "aninstrument that is being used in the workin which the operator isengaged. `Tlie mechanism that l prefer to use `tor moving the seatvertically and for moving theback relatively tothe 'seat consists oftwo' separate and dipstinct cylinders equippedwith pistons, and amotor-drivenpump Vfor circulating anoncompressible liquid that acts onsaid pistons, and the governing means that I have rherein illustratedfor controlling theoperationjo'f said mechanism consists of adistributing vaivet'or governing: the circulation of 'the liquid thatacts on the pistonsl and a switch for governing the motor circuit. Ivwish it to be understood, however, that my broad ideaa contemplates theuse of any suitable mechanism i'or moving the seat vertically and formoving the back relatively to the seat and any suitable governing meansvfor said mechanism, andv further, that when said mechanism comprisespistons any suitable operating medium such as a circulating liquid or aiiuid under pressure can be used to operate said pistons.

i am aware of the fact that barbers chairs and the like have heretoforebeen devised that were equipped with an electrically-operated means foreffecting the vertical movement of the seat ot the chair,-but such priorchairs did not'comprise a means for moving the bacl relatively to theseat to change the adjustment of the back. lWhile such chairs are animprovement on a chair of thekind in which the operator has to manuallyoperate a device to raise the seat ot the chair, they do not ovei-omethe necessity of the operator laying down his instrument and manuallymoving the back each time the position of the back is changed. rlhe timelost by the operator in laying down the` instrument being used on theoccupant of the chair and manually raising or lowering the back eachtime the position of the back is changed reduces the amount of work thata barber can do in a given time, and moreover, adds considerable to thefatigue of the barber. My invention overcomes this objectionablecharacteristic oit the conventional. barbers chair and ofelectrically-operated barllo bers chairs that have heretofore beendevised, due to the i'act that it contemplates equipping a barbers chairor the like with a means controlled by one hand of the barber forei'liecting the vertical adjustment ot the seat and for moving the backrelatively to the seat to change the adjustment of the back. i

Figure l of the drawings is a vertical sectional view of a portion of myimproved chair, showing the seat frame, the stem which carries saidframe and the verticallydisposed socket or cylinder in which said stemis reciprocatingly mounted.

Figure 2 is a detail view, taken on the line`2-2 of Figure l, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view ot the distributing valve.

Figure a is a detail sectional view, taken on the line i-sl ont Figure3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figures 5 to 9, inclusive, are diagrammatic views, illustrating thevarious positions of the shaft that actuates the crank oi the stemlocking means, the controlling element orn the distributing valve andthe shiltable circuit closing device of the switch in themotor circuit.

Figure 92L is a perspective view oi' a portion ot the casing of thedistributing valve.

Figure 9b is a perspective View oi' the controlling element of thedistributing valve.

Figure lO is a diagrammatic view, showing how the motor and the switchin the motor circuit are electrically connected with the electric supplycircuit.

Figures 1l and l2 are diagrammatic views, illustrating how thedistributing valve controls the circulation of the operating medium ineffecting the adjustment of the back ot' the chair.

Figures 13 and l-l are diagrammatic views, illustrating how thedistributing valve controls the circulation ont the operating medium inraising and lowering the seat of the chair, the valve casing being shownin top plan and the socket and stem in vertical section; and

Figures l5 and 16 are side elevational views oi? the chair, showing theback arranged in an upright position and in an inclined position.

In the accompanying drawings l have illustrated my invention embodied ina barbers chair @t the type that comprises a vertically-adjustable seatA, an adjustable back B that can be arranged in an upright position` asshown in Figure l5, or an inclined position` as shown in Figure l, anapron C and arms D connected with the back i3 in such a manner that theywill mov@ in unison with the. back, a supporting base or standard lllprovided with a vertically-disposed socket or cylinder F and a piston origaeiraro stem G in said socket connected at its upper end to the seattrame H of the chair. rllhe seat i of the chair is raised by pumping anon-compressible liquid such as oil into the lower end or the socket Fin the standard, so as to force the stemGupwardly, and said seat :islowered by permitting the liquid to escape from the socket Diny suitablekind of pump can be used for circulating the liquid that actuates thestem (i ot the chair, but l prefer to use a rotary pump l arranged inthe seat iframe of the chair and operate said pump by an electric motord which is also arranged in the seat trame oit' the chair. The meansherein illustrated 'ier moving the back of the chair relatively to theseat consists oiI a horizontally-disposed cylinder li arranged in theseat trame and provided with a piston that is operatively connected by apiston rod l and a system ot links 2, 3 and -lto the apron C oit thechair in such a way that the out-ward movement ol' said piston causesthe back, arms and apron ot the chair to move into the position shown inFigure 16 and the inward movenaent ot said piston causes said back, armsand apron to move into the position shown in Figure lli. ldlhen it isdesired to recline the back ci the chair the operator actuates a devicewhich sets the pump i in operation and also causes the operating mediumto be supplied 'tothe cylinder l in such a way that the piston oi' saidcylinder will move oiitwardly, and when it is desired to restore theback to its normal upright position, the operator actuates said deviceso as to cause the operating medium to move the piston in the cylinder lAin the opposite direction. rlie vertical movement ot the seat oit thechair can als be effected by operating the device just referred to so asto cause the operatin;` inedium to be admitted to or e-liansted 'tronithe cylinder F in the standard of the chair in which the stein (lrecijirocates.

llhe means that l have herein illustrated for controlling` the circlation oi tln operating medium consists of a distriluiting valveprovided with a controlling element that is adapted to be i'noved intoone position to cause the seat to move upwardly, into another positionto cause the .smit lo move downwardly, into another pos ion to ce., cheback to swing downwardly into an clined or reciined position, intoanother pesition to c use the baci: to swing upwarillg' into an upriglitposition and into another position to hold the seat at a certain leveland prevent the back from swinging in either direction relatively to theseat. The motor J which actuates the pump l controlled by a switch whichis preierablji' coinbined with said distributing' valve in such a waythat when the controlling element or illllfi

said `lvalve is moved to c-ause 'the seat to movel upward lyv or tocause'` the back: to swing upwardly korfdownwardly relatively tothe'sealt, the motor will becomeloperative,I and' when thecontrollingelement ot said valve is moved tobring the seat torest or to`bring the back to rest, the motor will stop automatically, therebyenabling the adjustment ofthe various parts of the chair tobe-,governedby afmeans that can le actuatedby one hand ofthe operator;1n chairs of the vtypeA to^- which my invention relates tliefstemfG' is:usually mounted in the socket F insuchal way thatk ityca-n turn in saidsocket ,so as tu permitA the seat frame ci the chair Ltoberevolved, `anda `clamp-ingdevice is provided for holding said stem against rotarymovement. The chairherein illustrated is provideduwith a stemhol'dingdevice Orclainping `device ot' the character referred to, and, saiddevice is combined with-the ycontrolling means of the chair, previously.(ilesci'ibed, in such a way that the stem locking device will berendered inoperative automatically whenever the 'controlling y*elementoithe distributing; valve is moved to effect the adjustment `of the seatoriback ofV the-'chair and will be rendered -operative vautomatically/whenever said controlling element is moved to cut oii' the circulationofthe operating medium.

' Distributing calce.

`Any suitable kind of, distributing valve canbe used for controlling thecirculation of the operating' medium, but 1I prefer to use a`distributing valve of the kind herein illustrated which consists of acasing, designated as an entirety by thei reference character L andequipped with circulating pas sageways, and an oscillatingY or rotatablecontrolling element Mprovided with ports and ducts that are adapted tobe brought into registration with the passageways in said casing so asto permit the operating medium to pass to and from the cylinder F thatforms part of the means for movingr the seat vertically and to and fromthe cylinder K that forms part of the means ,for moving the Vbackrelatively to the seat. Y As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the casing ofthe distributing valve comprises aportion 10 equipped with passageways 5and 5-a that lead to the opposite ends of the cylinder K, as showninbroken lines in Figure 951, a web 6, a closed distributing chamber .7arranged at one side of the web 6 and a sump or hollow space 8 on theother side of the web 6 that discharges'into a hollow space in the stemG, said hollowv stem G serving as .a reservoir for the liquid that isused to actuate the parts which'effect the movement of the seat and theback of the chair. The controlling element M of the ,distributingvalveis disk--shaped and is arranged in the distributing ,chamber 7 oithe valve `casing in such a wayv that one' side of saincbears snuglyaga-instthe web (i of the valve casing, said controlling element beingrigidly `Connected to a governing shaft oroperi'ting shaftI N andbeingxheld in snug engagement with the web 6 of the valve casing bymeansof a springer other suitable device 9. 'ihecontrolling element M,is provided with two ports 11 and lthat extend transversely throughthel said element, and two vductsyor grooves 13 and ll'tliat are formedon ,the innerfface of 'said controlling element which bearsgagainst theweb 6 oi the valve casing,

theduct.` 13 consisting otasliort straight groovelandJtheduct .14.consisting oi a lsubstantiallyanglefshaped groove. The web G of thevalvecasing Lthat separates the distributingchamber 7 {fronithe sump 8 isproided=withytwomorts li-and 15a that-communicatefwithht e .passagcways5 and in the? valve casing that leadtothe opposite ends ofthecylinder K,two ports 16 and l? that discharge-into thesump 8 of the valvecasingfanda port 18 that-leads to a pipe or conduit 19 in the stem Gwhose lower end terminates in the end face of said `stem or projectsdownwardly below the same vso as to communicate with the cylinder orsocket F in-.the standard of the chair. Thepuinp I isarranged at onesideoiu the casing o1c the distributing valve and is provided with aninlet pipe or'co-nduitQO that extends downwarolly into the stem G andterminates at la point above the lower end of said stem, as shownfinFigure -1, thereby establishing direct communication,between the housingof thepump and the hollow stem of the chair that forms a reservoir forthe liquid operating medium. The discharge from thepuinp l communicateswith va `passageway in the casing of theY distributing valve that leadsinto the distributing chamber 7 ot said valve casing, as indicated bythe arrows in Figuresll and 12, y

When it fis desired to raisethe seat A of the chair the shaft N isturnedvint'o the pcsition shown in Figure 5 so as to setl the pump I inoperation and cause the controlling element M of the distributing valveto be arranged iny such a position that theport 12 therein ywillregister with theport 18 in the web of the valve casing. The pump I willthen cause theiliquid in the hollow stem G to circulate upwardly throughtheinlet pipe 20 'ot the pump into `the distributing chamber 7 of thevalve casing and then pass from said distributing` chamber through theports 12 and 1 8 into the pipe 19 down through which it circulates intothe socket F, as indicated by the arrows inFigure 14;, thuscausing vthestem and seat frame to moveupwardly. 'It it is desired to stop the seatat apoint intermediate-thevhigh and ylow level .of the seat, theshaft N4is-turned llO so to stop the pump and cause the controlling element Mof the distributing valve to move into a position to close the port 1S.(hereby cutting oli' communication between the distributing chamber oi'the valve casing and the pipe 19 and trapping the liquid in the socketor cylinder F. 1n order to prevent the mechanism of the chair trom beingdamaged or injured in the event the operator tails to stop the pump andturn the controlling element M of the distributing valve into such aposition as to trap the liquid in the socket F, after the seat trarnehas reached its extreme upper position, said socket F is provided with aby-pass 21, as shown in Figure 1&1, that establishes communicationbetween the socket or cylinder F and the interior ot' the hollow stem Gwhen the stem reaches the end of its upward stroke. Consequently, it thepump is allowed to continue in operation after the seat has reached itsextreme upper position, the liquid will continue to circulate from thes'oclet F up through the by-pass 21, upwardly through the pipe 2O intothe distributing chamber T and from said distributing chamber backthrough the pipe 19 to the socket F, as indicated by the arrow in Figure14.

To lower the seat the operator turns the shalt N into the position shownin Figure 8, so as to cause the angle-shaped duct 14 in the controllingelement M of the distributing` valve to register with the ports 17 and18 in the web G o'l the valve casino', thereby establishingcommunication between the pipe 19 and the sump 8 of the valve casing andcausing the liquid in the socket F to be forced upwardly through thepipe 19 and be discharged into the hollow stem Gr, as indicated by thearrows in Figure 13, by the downward pressure which the stem G exerts onthe liquid in the socket F, the stem continuing to move downwardly bygravity until it reaches the end of its downward stroke or until thecontrolling element M ot the distributing` valve is moved to cut ottcommunication between the ports 17 and 1S in the web ot the valvecasing.

lt it is desired to move the back B of the chair from its uprightposition shown in Figure 15 into its inclined position shown in Figure1G, the shaft N is turned into the position shown in Figure 6, so as tostart the pump and cause the controlling element M of the valve to bearranged in such a position that the port 11 therein will register withthe port 15 in the web 6 of the valve casing and the angle-shaped duct1d in said controlling element will establish communication between theports 15il and 16 in said web. The pump then causes the liquid in thehollow stem G to circulate upwardly into the distributing chamber 7, andthence through the ports 11 and 15 into the lett hand end ot thecylinder C, looking at Figure 11, thus causing the piston in saidcylinder to more outwardly and the liquid iu trout ot said piston to bedischarged through the port 5, duct lll and port 16 into the sump 8 otthe valve casing, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 11, the liquid.vai'ter entering the sump or' the valve casing, escaping Afrom same downinto the hollow stein (l. YWhen the controlling element M et thedistributing valve is turned into a position to close the port 15 andcut olf communication between the ports 15 and 16 in the web G of thevalve casing, the pump will stop and the back of the chair will come torest and be retained in its adjusted position, due to the fact that theliquid is trapped in the cylinder K on opposite sides el the piston insaid cylinder. H the opertor tails to stop the pump and change theposition ol the controlling element ot the Uistributing valve aiter theback has reached its fully inclined position, the liquid will continueto circulate from the distributing criamber ot the valve casing throughthe left hand end portion of the cylinder 1i and then escape from saidcylinder back into the sump S through a lateral discharge outlet 22 inthe cylinder which is uncovered when the piston is at the end oit itsstroke in this direction, thereby preventing damage or injury to themechanism in the event the operator fails to stop the pump after theback has reached its fully inclined position.

To raise the back i'rom its reclined position into its upright positionthe sha'tt N is turned into the position shown in Figure 7, so as tostart the pump and arrange the controlling clement M of the valve insuch a position that the port 11 therein registers with the port 15LL inthe web t3 ot the valve easing` and the straight duct 12E in saidcontrolling element establishes communication between the ports 16 and15 in said web, the pump causing the liquid to circulate trom thedistributing chamber '2' into the right hand end ot' the cylinder K andthe liquid in the opposite end portion ot said cylinder to escape fromsame through the port 15, duct 13 and port 1G back into the sump S, asindicated by the arrows in Figure 12. .lt the operator :tails to stopthe motor after the back has reached its vertical position, the liquidthat is admitted to the right hand end portion ot the cylinder l willescape through the lateral discharge outlet 22 leading from saidcyliinder, and thus prevent damage or injury to the mechanism, saidoutlet port 22 being so arranged with relation to the piston that it isopen when the piston is at the end of its stroke in either direction,but is covered by the piston at all other times. From the 'foregoing itwill be understood that in a chair of the construction above described'loo it is not necessary to Vreverse the motor J to change the directionot movement of th-e seatA or to change the direction of movement of theback. On the contrary, the armature shaft ot the motor always revolvesin the same direction and the change in the direction'oi movement ot theseat and of the back is eiiected by changing the direction ofcirculation ot the operating medium.

Switch.

As previously stated, the switch that governs the motor circuit iscombined with the distributing valve in such a way that the motor willbe started and stopped automatically when the controlling element M ofthe distributing valve is moved into cer tain positions. The switch thatl prefer to use for controlling the motor circuit comprises twostationary contacts 23, arranged in the motor circuit, and a shittablecircuit closing device 24 that is adapted to snap into engagement withsaid contacts in three different positions of the controlling element M.As shown in Figure l, the operating shaft N of the distributing valveprojects outwardly through the seat frame H of the chair and is providedat its outer end with a governing handle O that has a hollow hub O whichis rigidly connected to the shaft N. A stationary insulator 25 that isrigidly connected to the seat :trame of the chair and which projectsinto said hub O carries the contacts 23. rlhe circuit closing device 24that co-operates with said contacts consists of a bar of con,- ductingmaterial set in apiece ot insulation 26 carried by a pivotally mounteddevice 27 connected to the inside ot the hub of the handle O, as shownin Figure 2. Said device 27 is acted upon by a spring 28 that normallytends to move the circuit closing device 24 into engagement with theccntacts 23 and the handle U is provided with a linger piece 29 that isconnected by a link 30 with the device 2?, so as to move said device 2'?in a direction to disengage the circuit closing device 24 from thecontacts" 28. The insulator 25 is provided at its outer end with adisk-shaped portion 31 on which the pivotally mounted device 27 rideswhen the handle O is moved to change the position of the controllingelement of the distributing valve, and said disk-shaped portion isprovided with four notches 31a shown in Figures 5 to 9 arranged in sucha way that when the handle O is set in a position to cause the seat tomove upwardly the device 27 will snap into one of saidv notches, therebycausing the circuit closing device 24 to engage the contacts 23 to closethe motor circuit, whereupon the pump will be set in operation.Likewise, when the handle O is set in position to move thebackdownwardlyyor set in position to move the back upwardly, the othernotches 31a in the disk-shaped portion 31 of the insulator 25 permit thespring 28 to movethe'circuit closing device into engagement with thecontacts 2B, so as to close Vthe motor circuit. As soon as the operatordepresses the linger piece 29 preparatory to changing the position ot"the controlling element of the distributing valve the link 3() will movetheA circuit closing device 24 out ot engagementfwith the contacts 23,thus opening the motor circuit and rendering the pump inoperative.Vifhenl the-handle"O is moved intol position to cause the seat to movedownwardly, the pivotally mounted device 27 on said handle snaps intothe fourth notch in the disk-shaped portion 3l ot the insulator 25, andthus indicates to the operator that the handle is in proper position tolower the seat. ln this position ot the handle the circuit closingdevice 24 will not engage the contacts 23, as it is not necessary torthe pump to be in operation when the seat is being lowered. Then thehandle O is set in position to cause the seat and back to remain atrest, the unnotched partof the disk-shaped portion 3l of the insulator25 will hold the circuit closing device 24 out of engagement with thecon tacts 23.

Stem locking device.k

As previously stated, the chair is equipped with means for locking thestem G so as to prevent the seat frame of the chair from being revolved.In the form of my invention herein illustrated said means'conssts ot" aclamping device or shoe P mounted in the stem G of the chair in such away that it is capable ot' being moved' into engagement shown in Figure9 to hold the seat and back at rest, said crank R will exert pressure onthe rod 32 in a direction to render the stem clamping device Poperative, and when said handle O is set in any of its various otherpositions, the crank R will permit the rod 32 and expanding device Q, tomove downwardly far enough to release the clamping pressure of the shoeP on the socket, and thus permit the stem to be turned.-

f Electric conductors.

In order that the chair willfnot have? 6 Lasagne numerous loose wires orflexible conductors that might interfere with the raising' or loweringof the seat or revolving the seat, or interfere with the movement of theback relatively to the seat, I attach a collector ring insulator S tothe underside ot the seat 'trame H, as shown in Figure l, and combinethe collector rings on said insulator with vertically-clisposedconductor bars T that are reciprocatingly mounted in the standard of thechair and arranged in slidingl engagement with contacts U in thestandard to which electric supply wires lV are connected, the exposedportions of the conductor bars T being' covered with insulating,rmaterial and each ot' said bars being provided at its upper end with ashoe or brush 38 equipped with a notch that receives one of thecollector rings on the insulator S. One of the collector rings 34 isconnected by a wire 35 with the motor and the other collector ring` 36is connected by a wire 37 with one of the contacts 23, the other contactbeing connected by a wire with the motor. As shown in Figure l, saidvarious wires are arranged inside ot the seat trame of the chair. Theconductor bars T are mounted in the standard of the chair and arecombined with the collector rings in such a way that they will movevertically in said standard when` the seat 'trame H is raised andlowered and the shoes or brushes 33 at the upper end ot said conductorbars are combined with the collector rings on the insulator S in such away that the seat frame can be revolved without disturbing thcelectrical connection between the supply wires W and the contacts 23 otthe switch in the motor circuit.

Having' thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A chair, comprising' a seat, a back, a piston device for adjustinglthe seat vertically, a piston device 'for moving,r the back relativelyto the seat, a pump ttor circulating an operating' medium that acts onsaid piston device, a motor for driving' said pump and amanually-operable means 'for starting and stopping said motor and Jforcontrolling the circulation ot the operating medium that acts on both otsaid piston devices.

2. A. chair provided with a scat, a back, an hydroelectric mechanism tormoving the seat vertically and tor moving` the back relatively to theseat, and a controlling means for said mechanism that causes theelectric portion oi said mechanism to be rendered operativeautomatically when said controlling means is actuated to cause the seatto move upwardly or the back to move relative-ly to the seat and toremain inactive when said controlling' means is actuated to cause theseat to move downwardly or the back and seat to remain at rest.

f3. A chair, comprising; a seat, a back, an hydraulic means ifor moving'the seat vertically and 'tor moving the back relatively to the scat,:in elcctrically-operated means 'tor circulating' a liquid that causessaid hydraulic means to operate. and a controlling mechanism consisting'oit a governing means 'For said liquid and an electric switch coinbiucdin such a way that said electricallyoperatcd means will be renderedoperativo and inoperative automatically in certain positions ot th'.``c'oiferningv means tor said liquid.

A chair, comprising` a seat` a back, a vertically-:uliustablc stem thatcarries the seat, a socket in which said stem recipro- Cates` a cylinderequipped with a piston 'tor moving the hack relatively to the Seat, apump 'for circulating an oilieratine' medium. and means for causing theoperating' mcdium to be admitted to said soclct so as to raise the stemor admitted to either end oi said cylinder so as to raise or lower thehack,

5. A chair. comprising' scat. a back` a vertically-adjustahlc stem thatcarries the seat, a socket in which said stem reciprocates, a cylinderequipped with a piston tor moving` the back relatively to the seat7 apump 'tor circulating' an operating medium. and means for admitting audexhausting; the operating' medium to and from said socket to raise andlower the seat and 'tor admitting the operating medium to and Afrom theopposite ends oi" said cylinder so as to raise and lower the back.

G. A chair, comprising' a seat. a back. a stem that carries said seatand is provided with a hollow space that serves as a liquid reservoir, asocket in which said stem is reciproczfitingly mountedl` a cylinderprovided with a piston for moving' the bach relatively to the seat. apump 'for circulating an operating' liquid, said pump having` an intakethat communicates with said liquid reservoir. a distributingvalvecomprising' a casing having' a distributing' chamber that communicateswith the discharge ot said pump and a sump that communicates with saidliquid reservoir, and controlling element 'tor governing the escape otthe liquid from said distributing` chamber to said cylinders and 'forgoverning the escape oi the liquid 'trom said cylinders to said sump.

7. A chair, comprising' a seat. a back, a stem that carries said scat.ay liquid reservoir in said stem, a socket in which said stem isreciprocatinrly mounted` a cylinder provided with a piston Ylor movingthe back relatively to the seat to raise and lower the back, amotor-driven pump for circulating' a liquid operating mediunr providedwith an intake pipe that communicates with said liquid reservoir, adistributing' valve havine: a distributing chamber into which the liquidf lificluira'ed trom said. pump and equipped with` a sump thatcommunicates with said liquid reservoir, and a controlling element thatis adapted to oe set in one position to hold the seat and hack at rest,in a different position to cause the seat to move upwardly, in adifferent position to cause the seat to move downwardly, in a differentposition to cause the back to tilt downwardly and in a differentposition to cause the back to swing upwardly.

8. A chair, comprising a seat, a back, an hydro-electric mechanism,comprising an electric motor and a pump Jfor circulating a liquid thatcauses the seat to move vertically and causes the back to moverelatively to the seat, and means for permitting said liquid tocirculate freely, thus preventing said mechanism from being injured ordamaged in thel event said mechanism is perL mitted to Continue inoperation after the seat has reached its extreme elevated position orafter the hack has reached its limit of movement in either direction.

9. A chair, comprising a seat, a back, a vertically-movable stem thatcarries said seat, a cylinder provided with a piston Jfor moving theback relatively to the seat, a motor-driven pump for circulating anoperating medium that is used to raisey the stem and to actuate saidpiston, a device -for holding said stem against rotary movement, and acontrolling means for actuating said stem holding device, for governingthe circula- .tion of said operating medium and for c0n trolling thecircuit that energizes the motor of said pump.

lO. A chair, comprising a seat, a back, a hollow stem that carries saidseat, a socket in which said stem is reciprocatingly mounted, a cylinderprovided with a piston for moving the back relatively to the seat, amotor-driven pump for circulating an operating medium, a distributingvalve provided With a controlling element for the 0perating medium, adevice for holding` said stem against rotary movement, and means forcausing said stem holding device to be rendered inoperativeautomatically when the controlling element of said valve is moved toeffect the adjustment of the seat or the hack of the chair and forrendering said stem holding device operative automatically when saidcontrolling element is moved into a position to hold the back and seatat rest.

WALTER F. KOKEN.

